Experts to recommend mercury waste threshold values at COP5

Thirty experts from around the world met in Geneva on 16-18 February 2023 to discuss thresholds to define waste contaminated with mercury to be controlled under the Minamata Convention.

The meeting was held back-to-back with the Open-Ended Working Group meeting of the Basel Convention, and had an intensive discussion including the linkage between Minamata and Basel Conventions. The expert group agreed to recommend threshold values to the Conference of the Parties (COP-5) which starts on 30 October 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mercury waste is generated from different sources as mercury is used in several types of products and processes, and is also contained in minerals such as coal. The phase-out of mercury in products and processes along with strict controls on mercury emissions and releases in response to the Minamata Convention is concerned about the increase of mercury wastes generation that require environmentally sound management (ESM).

According to Minamata Initial Assessment reports, many developing countries recognize that the management of mercury waste is one of the most prominent challenges to be prioritized for action. Considering that waste management covers many phases (source separation, collection, transportation, storage and disposal) and that each country has different technological and socio-economic circumstances and conditions, cooperation and collaboration with various stakeholders is an integral element to ensure the ESM of mercury wastes.